The following morning, Sara woke earlier than usual. The house was quiet, but silence in the Carter mansion had never meant peace — only calculation.
She dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. Laura was already there, perfectly composed, sipping tea as if the world revolved around her porcelain cup.
"Good morning, Sara," Laura said with a smile too polished to be real.
Sara sat across from her. "Morning."
Laura's gaze lingered. "You came home quite late last night. I hope you weren't… influenced by the wrong company."
Sara didn't flinch. "If you're referring to Daniel, then no. I choose my company more carefully than people think."
Laura's smile didn't fade, but a fine crack formed around the edges. "A young woman's reputation is delicate. Some associations can be misunderstood."
Sara calmly buttered her toast. "And some people misunderstand on purpose."
For a second, Laura's eyes sharpened — then she looked away. "Just remember who truly cares for you."
"I am," Sara replied softly yet clearly. "That's why I'm being careful."
Laura didn't speak again.
---
At the academy, Lina was already waiting near the gates.
"You look like you slept three hours and woke up with revenge in your soul," Lina said, linking her arm through Sara's.
"I slept fine," Sara replied. "But things are moving."
Lina smirked. "Good. Let them move. We'll shove back harder."
As they entered the hallway, whispers followed — not all hostile, not all friendly. Sara had grown used to it, but today, she noticed how some of the whispers paused when she glanced their way.
Not fear — awareness.
That was new.
---
In another corridor, Hannah stood staring at her locker, her fingers hovering before opening it. Old habits died slowly — the anxiety of expecting something cruel to fall out or be written inside still lingered.
Adrian appeared beside her without warning. "If a snake jumps out, I'll stomp it for you."
Hannah startled. "What? There's no snake!"
He leaned casually against the lockers. "Metaphorical snake. Grace, Emily, take your pick."
Hannah cracked a smile. "I'm fine."
"Good," Adrian said, but his expression softened slightly. "You're not alone anymore, you know that, right?"
She nodded — more honestly this time.
---
Meanwhile, Grace and Emily sat in a quiet corner of the lounge area.
Emily scrolled through her messages. "Laura said the first step is already in motion."
Grace looked impatient. "What about Sara?"
Emily's smirk was faint but sharp. "She won't see it until it hits her."
Grace relaxed slightly — until she noticed someone watching them from afar.
Ryan.
He didn't approach, didn't speak — but he saw everything.
---
Across campus, Daniel stood near a balcony, phone in hand.
Ryan: They met again. Something's starting.
Daniel: Let them move first. We'll make sure they regret it.
He put his phone away just as Sara walked toward him.
"You're early," she said.
"So are you," he replied.
They didn't need to say more.
There was an unspoken understanding now — the calm before something big, and the readiness to face it head-on.